Beat

CARSON, Calif. –LA Galaxy’s Bruce Arena’s has voiced his concerns over the MLS schedule before and following Sunday’s SuperClasico, the LA boss took aim at the schedule’s incapability with the FIFA calendar.

During his postgame press conference for LA’s 1-0 victory over Chivas USA, the discussion turned from LA’s win to the possibility of Landon Donovan joining up with a U.S. B squad for the 2013 World Cup.

Let’s just say that the Galaxy boss was less than supportive of the schedule conflict.

“That's what this league is. This is the way the league operates. When you can't be in sync with an international calendar, that's the reality of things,” said Arena. “We've been well aware of [the Gold Cup] before the year started. It's crazy. It skews the competition in the league, but it is what it is. What are you going to do?”

Following Arena’s response, a reporter chimed in that Arena could attempt to hold Donovan out of the squad and the Galaxy head coach was quick to mention that “no decision’s been made yet” about the midfielder. But it will be difficult for Arena to hold Donovan out of the competition as it offers the veteran a chance to rejoin the U.S. for the first time since their 1-0 win over at Mexico last August.

However, after losing defender Omar Gonzalez for three matches due to friendlies and World Cup qualifiers, Arena is not a fan of the situation.

“I think the whole thing is foolish, to be honest with you, coming off the players disappearing for a month with the World Cup qualifying as well,” said Arena. “It's a major problem we have with scheduling in the league, and it damages the competition. We have to find other ways to fit the schedule in where teams are not impacted due to the FIFA calendar.”

It is clear based on his performance as of late that Zardes has grown considerably since the preseason, but why and how has he matured?

“You get more comfortable as you play more; little things are starting to happen a little more slowly for him. He’s not as hectic and rushed as he had been," said midfielder Landon Donovan. "His passing has gotten better. Initially, he was just focused on making some space for himself and getting a shot, but now his passing has gotten better. He’s a little better holding the ball and we just have to keep moving him along."

CARSON, Calif. – Ahead of their SuperClasico clash against Chivas USA, the LA Galaxy will welcome back midfield staple Marcelo Sarvas back from suspension.

Sarvas missed LA’s scoreless draw with the Portland Timbers due to yellow card accumulation after picking up a controversial fifth yellow card in LA’s 3-1 defeat to Real Salt Lake on June 8. The Brazilian was impressed with the job that second year midfielder Rafael Garcia did while filling in for him on Wednesday, but after sitting out his first league match of the season, he’s eager to return to the fold against Chivas.

“It’s nice to train and know that you have the chance to play in the next game,” said Sarvas. “I think that it’s a moment that we need everyone healthy and ready to play.”

But what type of challenge that Chivas USA presents remains to be seen.

“Every time that you change coaches it is different because it’s a new system and a new philosophy,” said Sarvas. “They will come flying and will come 100 percent to fight for every ball. It’s a derby and we have to play in the same way.”

CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy aren’t expecting to face same Chivas USA that stole a late draw in the last edition of the SuperClasico back in March. In fact, the Galaxy doesn’t know what to expect from the Rojiblancos.

Chivas has undergone considerable turnover since that draw as they fired their head coach Jose Luis Sanchez Sola in May and quickly threw out his aggressive—and overly physical—style of play. Replacing “El Chelis” is former Chivas de Guadalajara boss Jose Luis “Güero” Real, who seeks to install a possession-oriented attack that emphasizes defensive organization. Also on the outs at Chivas are forward Juan Agudelo, who was dealt to the New England Revolution and midfielders Eric Avila and Giovani Casillas who were sent to train with Guadalajara.

Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said on Friday that he expects a “more orthodox” Chivas than the team that racked up fouls in their 1-1 draw back in March, but Arena’s players admit that Chivas’ turnover makes them a threat.

“They changed their manager and they play a different way so we don't know much about them and how their manager wants them to play. This could be a tricky one,” said goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini. “In these kinds of games, you can get results mostly on character and how willing you are to die on the pitch. I’m sure considering the place that they are in now; this is, for sure, what we should expect from them. We have to match them in every way.”

Chivas may be a mystery, but Galaxy center back Omar Gonzalez believes that LA must focus on what they can control and that’s their own preparations.

“You just have to worry about yourselves. Worry about how you can come to the game with the right mentality and make sure that right from the whistle, [you're] putting pressure on them and not letting them play,” said Gonzalez. “I think that if we stay solid defensively, then our chances will always come with Robbie, Landon and the front guys.”

Both sides will be out to snap their recent losing streaks with LA winless in their last three MLS matches while Chivas has not earned a result in nine MLS contests. Although Chivas may appear to be an appetizing target for the Galaxy to snap their winless streak, the Galaxy refuse to overlook their in-stadium rivals.

“They are one of those teams that seem to lose a lot of games, but when you're playing a derby game, everything goes out the window,” said Galaxy captain Robbie Keane. “It'll be a tough game, but you can't underestimate them. We're certainly going to be the favorites, but I think when you're playing against a team like this…or a derby game, it’s a completely different scenario.”

Following training on Friday, Galaxy captain Robbie Keane admitted that Gonzalez’s presence could be a major boost for a team looking to snap a three game league winless streak.

“Omar is a big plus for us. He was away with the national team and did very well," said Keane. "I think that it’s important at this stage when you’re not winning too many games to have experienced players back in there. Omar comes into that category and we're happy to have him back.”

With Gonzalez returning to the lineup, it means that LA can return to their traditional back four of Sean Franklin, Gonzalez, DeLaGarza, and Todd Dunivant. Something that LA expects to be a major plus as they look to snap a four game winless streak in all competitions.

“We've all been playing with that back four for four years. We know each other very well and that’s what been our best feature," said DeLaGarza. "You see the teams that are successful are the teams that have been together for a while and this team is one of those.”

When LA Galaxy midfielder Robbie Rogers joined with the LA Galaxy, the story drew national headlines as he became the first openly gay professional athlete to play in a major American professional sports league. And it was little surprise that NBC Sports Network’s new weekly show focusing on the human interest stories in MLS chose Rogers for their debut episode.

The show “MLS Insider” is produced by Hock Films, which is led by Emmy-winning filmmaker Jonathan Hock. An eight-time Emmy award winner, Hock made three of the critically-acclaimed 30 for 30 documentaries for ESPN Films.

Torre, in particular, struggled as he was targeted early by the Spanish. On Spain's first goal, which came just five minutes into the match, Gerard Deulofeu was able to capitalize on the space given to him by Torre and send in a cross to Jese for the first goal. The UCLA defender was again taken advantage of on the second goal as Deulofeu fired a right-footed shot that sailed past U.S. goalkeeper Cody Cropper in the 42nd minute. Jese would add a third just before the end of the first half to put the U.S. down three after the first 45.

Deulofeu completed his brace in the 61st minute to stretch the Spanish lead to four. However, the Americans would pull one back in the 77th minute as Real Salt Lake midfielder and Garden Grove native Luis Gil fired a powerful left-footed strike for the Americans' lone goal of the game. Three Galaxy Academy graduates earned time against Spain as Villarreal played 72 minutes, North Hollywood's Mario Rodriguez went 45 minutes while Torre played a full 90 minutes in the defeat.

The U.S. return to action against France on June 21, the French defeated Ghana 3-1 in their tournament opener.